Who’s Winning the Global Battery Supply War?

Inside the scramble for lithium, cobalt, and control of green energy.

Author

Philip Saparov
November 09, 2025

In partnership with

Greetings, sharp-eyed seeker of global advantage!

The oil wars are fading. The battery wars have begun. From lithium to rare earths, a handful of minerals now dictate who holds the power—literally and geopolitically.

In this edition, we uncover the new global scramble: the nations controlling the metals behind clean tech—and what that means for where you live, invest, or look for your edge.

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Once known mostly for its natural beauty, South America’s Lithium Triangle—Chile, Argentina 🇦🇷, and Bolivia 🇧🇴—now commands global attention. Together, they hold over 50% of the world’s lithium reserves, essential for powering electric vehicles and large-scale batteries.

🇨🇱 Chile leads in production with open investment policies. 🇦🇷 Argentina is rising quickly, attracting global miners. 🇧🇴 Bolivia holds massive untapped reserves but lacks infrastructure. Behind the scenes, 🇨🇳 China dominates the value chain—owning or funding much of the Triangle’s lithium processing and refining.

Why it matters: Whether you're scouting emerging investment opportunities or researching affordable retirement destinations, Chile and Argentina stand to benefit from long-term demand and green-tech development.

🔎 Fact to consider: Despite owning little lithium itself, China controls over 60% of global lithium refining capacity.

2. 🇨🇩 The Congo Question: Cobalt, Ethics & Strategic Exposure

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 🇨🇩 supplies nearly 70% of the world’s cobalt, an essential mineral for stabilizing high-performance batteries. But behind the supply lies a darker reality: child labor, corruption, and a complex web of geopolitical risk.

Global tech and auto companies continue to rely on Congo’s cobalt, but face increasing pressure to clean up their supply chains. Some are shifting to alternatives—like 🇮🇩 Indonesia, which produces cobalt as a byproduct of nickel mining, offering a more stable (though less concentrated) source.

What this means for you: As ethical sourcing gains traction, companies and investors may face disruptions—or opportunities—in regions that offer cleaner alternatives.

🔎 Contrasting snapshot: China sources nearly two-thirds of its cobalt from the DRC. The U.S. imports almost none.

Indonesia 🇮🇩 is no longer just a tropical paradise—it’s now the largest producer of nickel, a key component in EV batteries. In 2020, the country banned raw nickel exports to boost domestic refining, triggering a flood of investment, especially from Chinese firms.

Today, it’s home to a rapidly growing battery and EV supply chain. This policy shift is positioning Indonesia as a tech manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia—and a rising geopolitical player in the clean energy era.

Actionable angle: Investors, manufacturers, and digital nomads should be watching Indonesia for its infrastructure boom and green-tech focus, especially near cities like Batam and Sulawesi.

🔎 Surprising growth: Indonesia’s nickel-related exports surged from $4B to over $30B between 2019 and 2023.

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The United States 🇺🇸 champions clean energy—but when it comes to the raw materials behind it, the country finds itself playing catch-up. While government incentives and legislation (like the Inflation Reduction Act) are pushing EV adoption, the U.S. remains heavily dependent on foreign minerals.

The solution? Strategic partnerships. The U.S. is doubling down on deals with 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇦🇺 Australia, and other allies rich in lithium, cobalt, and rare earths. These efforts aim to reduce reliance on China—and create secure supply chains for green tech.

Why it matters: These alliances shape where U.S. companies expand, where retirees find long-term stability, and where new job opportunities may emerge.

🔎 Did you know? EV buyers lose U.S. tax credits if battery minerals come from a “foreign entity of concern”—including China.

Australia 🇦🇺 has quietly become the world’s top lithium producer, supplying over half the globe’s spodumene—an essential lithium ore. But it doesn’t stop there: Australia is building capacity in rare earths and partnering closely with the U.S., Japan, and the EU to establish alternative supply chains.

With strong rule of law, a stable economy, and strategic relevance in the Indo-Pacific, Australia is now a cornerstone of battery geopolitics. It’s also attracting tech startups, energy firms, and global relocators.

Reader takeaway: Australia may be more than a vacation dream—it could be a safe long-term base for those prioritizing security, sustainability, and growth.

🔎 One to remember: Over 50% of the world's spodumene supply comes from Australia’s mines.

The European Union 🇪🇺 plans to be climate-neutral by 2050—but its EV revolution faces a serious hurdle: mineral dependence. More than 80% of Europe’s lithium is imported, often from regions with volatile politics or high carbon footprints.

In response, the EU is investing in domestic gigafactories, particularly in 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇸🇪 Sweden, and 🇫🇷 France. New trade deals with 🇨🇦 Canada and 🇦🇺 Australia aim to diversify inputs. Yet Europe still lags behind on refining and extraction infrastructure.

Relevance to you: Europe's push for clean tech may unlock career and business opportunities in green construction, logistics, and battery R&D—particularly in Scandinavia.

🔎 Investment stat: The EU has earmarked €20B+ for battery value chains, but domestic lithium mining remains virtually nonexistent.

While much attention goes to lithium and cobalt, the real chokehold may lie in rare earth elements—used in magnets for EVs, wind turbines, and smartphones. The twist? 🇨🇳 China controls nearly 90% of global rare earth refining.

The U.S., 🇦🇺 Australia, and 🇨🇦 Canada are scrambling to build their own processing capacity. But refining rare earths is expensive, environmentally sensitive, and technically complex. Meanwhile, Japan, the EU, and South Korea are all seeking supply security.

Impactful insight: Nations lacking rare earth access may face supply shocks in energy, defense, and manufacturing—raising the stakes for future policy and investment choices.

🔎 Eye-opening forecast: Analysts say rare earths could become “the next oil”—a resource that defines global power for decades to come.

The future won’t be drilled—it’ll be mined. From lithium to cobalt, the next global power shifts are unfolding in metal-rich ground, not oil fields. And they’re already reshaping markets, borders, and personal plans.

Know the forces shaping tomorrow, and you’ll move smarter—whether it’s where you live, what you invest in, or how you plan your next move.

Stay sharp. Stay global. The mineral era is here.

Warm regards,

Shane Fulmer
Founder, WorldPopulationReview.com

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